The Austral Islands French Polynesia (Îles Australes), or as they are also known as the Tubuai Islands, and they are situated in the far southwest of French Polynesia, some 640km (400 miles) south of Tahiti. The main island, Tubuai, is referred to as the breadbasket of the area due to its fertile soil which allows fruit and vegetable growing. The island group comprises seven islands of which two are uninhabited.
The island group comprises two separate archipelagos. In the northwest are the Tupua islands (Îles Tubuaï) and these consist of the Iles Maria, Rimatara and Rurutu. The population is only about 7,000 islanders on an area of 150 km2 (58 sq mi). Tupua'i Island and Ra’ivavae, and in southeast the Bass Islands are the main island of Rapa Iti and Marotiri. While the islands are located south of the tropic of Capricorn.
Rurutu was the first of the Austral Islands to be discovered by James Cook on his first Pacific voyage in 1769 which he named Ohetiroa. After the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789 it departed for Tubuai and stayed for a week before heading for Tahiti. The mutineers returned and ended up having bloody clashes with the islanders with many dead islanders, and the Bounty departed 3 months later. Whalers were regular visitors in the 19th century which came for fresh water and provisions. Rimatara, is the smallest island, Rurutu, is renowned for its limestone caves and orchids that flourish deep in the dense forest; Tubuai, is the administrative centre of the archipelago; Raivavae, is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific and is known for its large Tikis and the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon; Rapa iti, the island is scattered with ancient fortresses called 'Pa'.
The inhabitants of the Austral Islands live mainly from subsistence agriculture. The very fertile soils along with the warm and humid climate make it perfect for vegetables, tubers such as taro and yams, as well as tropical and subtropical fruits. Most is used for local consumption and anything surplus goes to Tahiti for sale. Fishing is of course common as well as pig and chicken raising. There is also some copra, and coffee grown in small quantities in Raivavae and Rurutu, with vanilla also grown in Rurutu. The Tubuai Islands has very limited provisioning options. Most shopping is available at small local stores or markets where you can find some fresh local produce, fresh seafood, along with the very basic necessities. Visit any markets early in the morning for the best selection and to also beat the heat. The islands produce large quantities of taro in family-owned plots. The lychee is the major crop of the Australs. Just prior to Christmas every year the Tahitian markets are swamped with lychees from the Australs.
As usual it is all about the food, what cuisines to sample and indulge when arriving. What produce is available for storing up and reprovisioning your boat. The following are what you can expect.
So consider departing south from Tahiti and going somewhere that even tourists rarely get to see.